CORAL SPRINGS New Panthers forward Peter Mueller is so anxious to restart a promising career that has been derailed by concussions that he’s already hard at work at Savology.com Iceplex despite the potential of a lockout.
Mueller, 24, who feels comfortable at left wing or at center, said he is symptom-free and for the first time since his rookie season with Phoenix in 2007-08 when he tallied 54 points, including 22 goals, he feels 100 percent healthy.
“It’s 100 percent behind me. I tell people all the time I haven’t felt this clear since my first year which is awesome,’’ said Mueller, whose long-flowing hair may give new teammate Kris Versteeg a battle in length as well as in point production.
“I feel great on the ice and in the weight room, just in overall health, I feel a lot better than what I’m used to to, so that’s exciting and encouraging.
“In some aspects I’m like a rookie again, obviously with the past. I’m thrilled to be with all these new faces and everyone’s welcomed me with open arms. It’s not every day you can play hockey in South Florida.’’
Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon signed Mueller to a one-year deal at a reported $1.725 million in July, a reasonable gamble for a skilled player with a huge upside. However, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Mueller, who sat out the entire 2010-11 season with a concussion and them missed another 50 games last season when some symptoms resurfaced after taking a slash across his temple, believes he’s worth the risk.
“I want to play 82 games. I want to contribute,’’ said Mueller, who had 36 points his second season, but just 53 points since the 2009-10 season with Phoenix and Colorado. “There’s no doubt I can [match my rookie output]. If I’m in the lineup I’m confident in my abilities and I’m confident that I can help this team win and I’m confident I can make other people better.
“That what I’m looking to do. That’s why I came down here early to get familiar with the guys and get familiar with the organization so as soon as training camp starts it’s straight forward.’’
Versteeg has said that Mueller was the best player in the WHL when they were competitors in the 2005-06 season when the Minnesota native had 58 points in 52 games.
“I played against a bunch of these guys in the WHL and in the NHL my first couple of years,’’ Mueller said. “It’s almost overwhelming how much talent is in this room.’’
Despite sustaining multiple concussions at a young age, Mueller never considered stepping away from a game he loves.
“It never crossed my mind. I knew at one point I’d get back, it was just when,’’ he said. “Obvious, the brain is a tricky situation. No one can see it. For me it was just staying positive, my wife, brother and friends were always there if I was ever down, always pushing me to keep me on the right track.
“I’ve been in love with this game since I’m 3, and I love lacing the skates up just going out there playing shinny [street hockey].’’
Goalies optimistic about CBA negotiations
Panthers goalies Jose Theodore and Scott Clemmensen, who worked out Thursday, are both 35 years old and are optimistic that the ongoing CBA negotiations will be resolved before the Sept. 15 deadline or by the start of training camp six days later.
“Hopefully, things are progressing in a manner so we can get something done and not lose any of the season,’’ said Clemmensen, who gets regular updates from teammate Mike Weaver, the Panthers player representative and Southeast Division representative as well.
“To know we’re on the same page as opposed to maybe 3-4 months ago when we were comparing apples and oranges is promising. With every meeting that takes place both sides are getting closer.
“We only play hockey for a short period of time so no one wants to lose a season. No matter where you are in your career, no matter how old you are or how much money you made or haven’t made everyone basically wants to play hockey and that fuels your optimism abouut getting things done.’’
Clemmensen and Theodore agree that the players want to carry last season’s momentum into this season.
“I went over to Stockholm and played there for three months,’’ Theodore said when asked what he did during the 2004-05 lockout. “It was a good experience but at the end of the day you want to play in the NHL and don’t want a lockout. It’s better for both sides to get a deal done.’’

Goalies not concerned with Luongo

Both Clemmensen and Luongo agreed that it’s fruitless to comment on the rumors concerning Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo wanting to return to the Panthers.
“[I’m not] talking about something that’s not there, about speculation … not until something would happen,’’ said Theodore, who has a no-trade clause and one-year remaining on his contract.
Theodore said it’s been a, “good, quiet summer,’’ and he hasn’t followed the rumor mill.
Luongo, who lives in Parkland with his family, works out at Saveology.com Iceplex when the Panthers players aren’t around.

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HARVEY FIALKOV, a tennis-playing sportswriter who grew up in Long Island following the dynastic Islanders, is the new Panthers beat writer for the Sun Sentinel and looking forward to writing about the best professional sports team in Broward County.